Page:A history of the military transactions of the British nation in Indostan, Volume 1.djvu/183

Book III. after about 100 of their horse appeared in sight of the village riding about and flourishing their sabres in defiance: captain Gingen, with several of the principal officers of the battalion, happened at this time to be there, who were so much offended at this bravado, that seven of them mounted their horses, and sallied with 12 troopers and 100 Sepoys to attack the party: they retreated as the English approached, sometimes halting as if they intended to stand the shock and in this manner led them three miles from the village, when they galloped away at full speed and disappeared. The English had not proceeded a mile in their return to the camp, when they discovered a body of near 3,000 horse coming out of a neighbouring thicket, where they were posted in ambuscade, and from hence had detached the party which appeared at the village. The Sepoys were ordered to disperse, and the horsemen forming into a compact body, pushed forwards so briskly, that only four or five of the enemy's squadrons had time to fling themselves in their way: these were attacked sword in hand, and the troops cut their way through, but not without the loss of lieutenant Maskelyne and three troopers, who were made prisoners; the rest gained the village; but all the Sepoys were either killed or taken. Mr Maskelyne was soon after released by Chunda-saheb, to whom he gave his parole; for the French, who were at this time as cautious as the English of appearing principals in the war, affected to have no authority over the prisoners. The ill success of this inconsiderate excursion, encreased the diffidence which the soldiers entertained of their officers; who began likewise to disagree amongst themselves, concurring in nothing but in thinking that the enemy were much too strong for them.

The next day Chunda-saheb encamped within five miles of the village, and employed two days in reconnoitring the ground quite up to the streights. On the third, the 13th of July, their whole army was discovered advancing in battle-array. Several parties of cavalry preceded the line, and came on each flank of the village; and soon after appeared a body of 4,000 Sopoys with seven pieces of cannon, supported by a company of 100 Topasses; these marched up slowly and in good order: the cavalry brought up the rear; and were soon after rejoined by the other parties which had been sent forward, excepting a